Rayo Vallecano head to the Camp Nou this Sunday, with Barcelona turning their attentions away from the Copa del Rey and firmly back on La Liga.

Having spent several years in the Catalan city with Espanyol, Argentine 'keeper Cristian Álvarez is looking forward to a return with Rayo Vallecano and whilst he's admitted in a press conference that a 0-0 draw would be seen as a positive outcome, he's also confidently pointed out: "Why can't we look at scoring a goal with ten minutes left to play? Winning 1-0 would do. Hopefully we'll get to enjoy ourselves there."

Clearly looking forward to the encounter with Barcelona, though conscious that he'll have his work cut out for him in Sunday's mid-day game in La Liga, when asked which of potent trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar or Messi he'd prefer to avoid, in the event of one of them breaking clean through on his goal, Álvarez pondered, "Messi, given his quality speed. He's the most dangerous out of them both."

Rayo Vallecano will hope to follow up their excellent victory against Levante last week, which featured the four-goal haul of Alberto Bueno. Barcelona meanwhile will be keen to exploit any slip-up by arch-rivals Real Madrid, which could see them top La Liga.

Heath Chesters

Heath Chesters moved from Spain to England in 2005 and never looked back. Enjoying a Spanish football adventure with Granada CF, he eventually joined the press department at the club. As a La Liga correspondent at HITC Sport, he aims to share his insight and enthusiasm for the game in Spain.